Because there is no 'normal' sleep need, you could have a sleep disorder and not even know itBy Gail Belsky, Health.com

The term sleep disorder may suggest someone tossing and turning all night, but lying awake for hours with insomnia is just one example of many conditions that affect how you sleep and function during the day. In fact, you can have a sleep disorder and not even know it.

How many hours should you sleep?

There's no normal number of hours that quantifies a good sleep, just like there's no normal shoe size. Most adults need seven to nine hours a night; others manage just fine with six. It's even possible to get too much sleep, since spending excess time in bed can be a sign of another health problem, such as depression or chronic fatigue syndrome.

A 2007 British study found that people who slept the same amount of time (seven hours) each night lived longer, on average, than people who adjusted their schedules to either add or subtract hours from their nightly slumber. Finding your own ideal sleep/wake cycle—and staying consistent—is key to healthy sleep, agrees Carol Ash, D.O., medical director of the Sleep for Life center in Hillsborough, N.J.

Don't sell yourself short

That doesn't mean you can shave off hours of much needed rest without consequence: In a different study, the same British scientists also found that people who are consistently sleep deprived (defined as sleeping five hours or less a night) are at greater risk for high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems—especially women.

Insufficient sleep also raises your risk for obesity, diabetes, depression, alcoholism, and automobile accidents. Plus, a 2007 University of California-Berkeley study confirmed the obvious: Sleep deprivation directly affects areas of the brain that deal with mood and concentration, leaving tired people grumpy, overly emotional, and unable to focus.

Consider quality and quantity

For all these reasons, doctors need to look at both the quantity and the quality of sleep to detect a problem. And when it comes to sleep quality, problems aren't always obvious to patients themselves: An insomniac who lies awake at night can easily tell that something is wrong, for example, but someone with sleep apnea who repeatedly stops breathing in his sleep might have no idea there's a problem.

The most telling sign of a disorder is how you feel during the day. If you generally wake up alert and refreshed, you're a healthy sleeper. If you chronically wake up sleepy, irritable, and unfocused—and stay that way throughout the day—you may have a sleep disorder, no matter how much time you spend in bed.

I had created this blog for.. hmmm let me see.. believe coming to 3 years already. The encouragement came from a dear friend of mine, and to my question of what to write etc in the blog, she simply said anything that I feel like writing. A good example she gave me was to write about my holidays.

And here I am still clueless of what to post in my blog. Though just for my viewing and others selectively, I still am clueless. I even had a draft (but empty till now) since 2009.. And since last week, I've drafted 2 but still unfinished.

For the sake to have one posting for this year, I am writing this now and will make sure I post it today. No specific topic, just something I feel like writing.

Today while having lunch with a friend, she told me of a very frustrating news she received last Friday. She told me that she had been waiting since 2009 for bonus, but to her disappointment, due to the company instability no bonus was paid.

This year her lucky star came her way. She got a job offer! Though on contract basis, but the perks & pay is better off than the current one. This is her last week with the current employer. While enjoying her last few days, the MD called all staff for quick meeting last Friday and announced that the company will pay 2 months bonus for 2010. Gosh! Pity her, totally. Of all the years of waiting the MD chosed to announce it towards her last few days with the company.

Her comment was, "With that money I can go Europe for holiday!".. I know how she felt, really I do as I experienced the same more than once throughout my career life. It's a no bonus year for me as well be it from previous employer which I left 2 months before the company's year end or current employer which I joined 5 months before its year end.

Yeah, people say that is standard practice. Impossible for a company to pay to an employee despite the employee served the company full one year, or the company's profit made solely from his/her clients. Whatever the HR policies etc etc, I still believe we the employee deserve to get whatever belongs to us based on what we contributed to our employer(s).

A good employer is one that compensate employees and always encourage for career development be it with the same company or others. Because in reality we are all fully aware that there is no such thing as a true and fair opportunity based on the individual as a person with no other side factors when it comes to career development. If there's such, very rare.

There is nothing wrong with sharing the profit, the wealth same as the knowledge. Those are what we can enjoy on this earth while we still have the opportunity. Sharing such means putting a smile and happiness to someone's life. Why such is so a burden to employer/boss to do so?

I know one bumiputra company which the Chairman or MD treats employee as and when the company feels necessary. The CEO/MD does not wait until year end, bonus pay time to compensate the staff. Profit is shared half yearly if not quarterly. Staff even sometimes given perks such as blackberry, new laptop as and when the CEO/MD feels like the staff requires new one. On top of the adhoc profit, the staff also enjoys year end bonus. Of course, at same time staff is required/pressured to meet target. But well, isn't all companies require such from their employees? As far as I know, this particular company is making profit year after year, and business seems getting better. Is giving and sharing with employees make the company losing profit? Obviously not. So why other company not able practice if not exactly the same, but at least some of it?

As many said, money is not everything. But to me, money is the one that make things in life possible. As how love is important in our lives, money also a main factor to a happy comfortable life. How much each of us need it, it all depends on individual.

Of course once money enter our life, it is a struggle to limit our 'enough' level. Difficult to hear people say, "No thank you, I have enough already. I do not need increment, bonus etc. I am happy with whatever I have now."

There is so much in life for us to see, venture, enjoy, learn etc which at the end leads to satisfaction and happiness.

As for me, I love spending on myself, treat my mum, buying gifts for my siblings, outing with my loved one, movie session with nieces and nephews, coffee-cake session with friends, shoppings all year round, going holidays and many more! ... So, is money still not important?